Protecting device for pipe coverings or the like



Aug. 25, 1931. R. STERLING 1,820,845

PROTEGTING DEVICE FOR PIPE COVERINGS OR THE LIKE Filed NOV. 2l. 1929 .tts

Patented Aug. 25, 1931 VuiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROYAL STERLING, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO ROYAL PROTECTOR COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS PROTECTING DEVICE FOR PIPE COVERINGS OR THE LIKE Application filed November 21, 1929. Serial No. 408,760.

This invention relates to protecting devices, 4more particularly, though not exclusively, intended for insulating coverings for pipes, the object, in the case of a pi e covering, being to provide a simple an readily applied protecting device for the free end of the pipe covering, such that the free end thereof is bound and protected and a finished appearance is imparted to the work, and in this respect aims to improve the art of covering ipe and the like.

W en pipes are covered with heat insulat. ing or other covering it is practically impossible to secure neat appearing ends for the.

covering, as, for example, at or adjacent a fitting yor at the end of the covering where the pipe passes through a floor or wall. At such points the end of covering section presents a ragged and unsightly appearance which detracts from the general aspect of the finished work and is also exposed to more or less wear and abuse.

The present invention aims to provide covering means which does away with the unsightly appearance referred to and also protects the pipe covering at the joints mentioned.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior co-pending application, Serial N o. 327,166, liled Dec. 19, 1928.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a pipe with its covering to which is applied a binding and vprotecting device embodying one form of the invention, the protecting device being applied tothe end of the insulation Where the pipe passes through a floor;

Fig. 2 is a similar elevation in partial sec? tion showing the application of the device to the end of a covering adjacent a fitting;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view ofthe protecting device on a slightly larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a sheet metal piece :o shaped to form one of the two semi-cylindrical sections of the protector prior to forming the right-angled thereon;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a sheet metal piece which may be employed to'form the opposite cylindrical section;

Fig. 6 is a detail, on a larger scale, showing in end view the twisted relation of the bottom plate sections before the bottom plate is shaped and the sheet rolled into semi-cylindrical form; and

Fig. 7 is a detail showing the projection or catch formed on one of the two cylindrical sections.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown, the device comprises two sleeve sections 11 and 13 which are semicylindrical throughout and are preferably of sheet metal.. These may be connected by any suitable means, but they are preferably hinged together at 15, so that together they form a longitudinally split sleeve there being also provided at their opposite ends fastening means by which they may be held in clasped cylindrical relation about the insulating covering.

Herein the hinge connection is provided by forming in the section 11 an elongated slot 17 (see Fig. 4) parallel to and adjacent the edge of the section, the adjoining end of the companion section 13 having formed thereon a tang or extension 1,9, (Fig. 5). In assembling the two sections, the extension bottom plate 19 is inserted through the slot 17 after which,

the extension is reversely curled or turned over to form the hinge, as shown in Fig. 3.

The means for holding the sections in clasped relation about the covering may be provided in any suitable manner, but herein the end of the cylindrical section 13 opposite the tang 19 is provided with one or more openings or slots 21 which are adapted to be engaged by a small inwardly turned projection 23 which is formed-in the adjacent end of the section 11. When the protector is applied to an insulating covering, the free end of the section 11 is brought into overlapping relation to the end of the section 13 and the projection 23 caused to snap into one or another of the slots 21 removably holding the two sleeve sections 11 and 13 in closed position.

Cores or shells of pipe insulating material of supposedly the same standard sizes when applied to a pipe are subject to slight variations in outside diameter. If the protecting device is of a fixed size it may be incapable of application if too small, or, if too large, it ma leave an open unsightly gap. In order t at the protector may be brought into tight binding relation about the shell of insulating material irrespective of such variations, a number of closely adjacent slots 21 are provided so that the protector .may be expanded or contracted at will to adapt it to the diameter of the particular insulating shell to which it is applied.

To bind, cover and protect the free end of the insulating material, each cylindrical shell is rovided with a bottom plate in the form of, an inwardly-turned, right-angled flange presenting opposed parti-circular recesses, which, when the protecting member is closed, provide a circular opening, 25 for the passage of the pipe to be covered.

In adjusting the protecting member to insulating coverings of slightly varying diameter by expanding or contractingthe same,

as described, it is highly desirable that the device in its various positions of adjustment should preserve an approximate cylindricalv shape in order that the finished appearance of the covering should not be impaired, and that the cylindrical shell should not be deformed into an elliptical or other non-cylindrical form. Preferably, therefore, each half of the right-angled bottom plate is itself expansible and contractible so that, as

the cylindrical sections are adjusted to dif` ferent diameters of pipe covering by the adjustable holding means described, the bottom plate will adapt itself to and permit this adjustment, and this without deforming or distorting the protector from its approximate cylindrical shape.

To this end each bottomplate is formed of a plurality of separate sections 27, the adjacent sections being preferably in overlapping relation, as represented in Fig. 3, so that as the protector is expanded or con,- tracted the ends of adjacent sections of the bottom plate moveewith relation to each other, and herein slide over each other. This provides for the contraction and expansion of the bottom plate without offering any resistance to the adjustment of the protector in its contraction or expansion, and permitting the latter to be so contracted or expanded without departing from an approximately cylindrical shape. As will appear from Fig. 3, the several sections of each bottom plate extend from the joint between the bottom plate and the cylindrical sleeve portion inwardly to the semi-circular recess. As the cylindrical shell is contracted or expanded the`inn'er and outer peripheries of the annular bottom platefcontract and -expand, as the case may be, independently of each other preserving each its approximately true circular contour.

Each bottom plate might be formed from a separate sheet of metal from the corres onding sleeve section and thereafter united t ereto. Preferably, however, each. sleeve section with its bottom plate section is stamped from a single piece of metal. A simple method of constructing these parts is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. As therein shown each section is stamped from a piece of sheet metal, thereby forming the slots 17 and 21, the catch 23 and the tang 19. By the same operation-the bottom plate sections 27 are formed along the lines of separation 29, the sections 27 being preferably slightly twisted with relation to each other, as shown in Fig. 6. Each section 11 and 13 is then rolled into semi or partially cylindrical form, andthe bottom plate sections 27 are then bent in at rightangles along the lines A B in Figs. 4 and 5,' whereupon the bottom plate sections assume the overlapping relationship illustrated in Fig. 3.

In use the device is opened about its hinge 15 and is applied to the end of the insulating covering 31 (Figs. 1 and 2) so as to iit snugly in closely clasped relation thereto, the bottom plate covering and fitting closely against the free end of the insulating section, and the semi-cylindrical sleeve sections 11 and 13 enclosing said insulating section for theirfull length. The pipe 33 passes through the opening A25 and the whole pro-V tecting device presents a close fitting, neat covering in cylindrical form throughout' which eliminates the unsightly end of the A after the pipe system with its insulating covering is complete; and being adjustable to different diameters of pipe covering, it can be adapted to reasonable variations in size of the pipe covering shell while still retaining its finished cylindrical appearance.

While I have herein shown for the purpose of illustration one specific embodiment of the invention, -it is to be understood that extensive deviations may be made therefrom in the construction, form and relative arrangement of parts, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims. A LA binding and protecting member for the insulating covering of a pipe comprising a longitudinally. split sleeve adapted to be clasped about the cylindrical walls of the pipe covering, said sleeve having an inwardly-turned, flanged bottom plate adapted to fit against the free end of the insulating shell, said bottom plate being formed of a plurality of substantially fiat segments mutually displaced for interleaving overlapping sliding association whereby said member may be expanded and contracted while retaining its approximate cylindrical form, the interleaving of said segments providing for substantiallyfuniform alteration of the diameter of the member` while retaining the substantially flat formation of its flange.

2. A pipe covering protector comprising a longitudinally split sleeve adapted to be clasped about the pipe covering,and means for holding it in clasped relation, said sleeve having an inturned flange adapted to fit against the free end of the insulating shell, and formed of a plurality of substantially flat slightly twisted segments arranged for interleaving overlapping sliding association facilitating expansion and contraction of said sleeve.

3. A covering member for pipe insulation comprising a sheet metal member adapted to be wrapped about the cylindrical walls of the pipe covering and having a right-angled, flanged, end plate adapted to fit snugly against the free end of the pipe covering, said plate being expansible and contractible with said member, whereby the latter may be expanded or contracted while still retaining its approximate cylindrical form, and means for holding the same in position comprising a catch provided at one end of the member and a series of registering slots provided at the opposite end of said member, whereby said holding means may be adjusted to adapt it to the expansion and contraction of said member in the application of the latter to varying diameters of pipe covering and whereby there is left a substantially smooth, cylindrical, covering member.

.4. A covering member for pipe insulation comprising a sheet metal member adapted to be Wrapped about the cylindrical walls of the pipe covering and having a right-angled, flanged, end plate adapted to fit snugly against the free end of the pipe covering, said plate being expansible and contractible with said member, whereby the latter may be expanded or contracted while still retaining its approximate cylindrical form, and means for holding the same in position comprising adjustable separable fastening means associated with the opposite ends of said member for securing the same in variable overlapping clasped relation whereby said holding means may be adjusted to adapt it to the expansion and contraction of said member in the application of the latter to varying diameters of pipe covering and wherebythere is left a substantially smooth, cylindri'cal covering member.

5. The combination of a pipe and pipe covering shell of insulating material having 

